On the evening of June 5, 2020, a 30-year-old man named Ernest Thomas was shot and killed in the courtyard of a building on Redfern Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens, just a short distance from his home. The shooting occurred at approximately 7:20 p.m. Thomas sustained gunshot wounds to his torso and leg. He was transported to St. John's Hospital in a private vehicle, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead about an hour and a half after the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the New York Police Department had not made any arrests and began an investigation, seeking information from the public to help identify the person or persons responsible for the gunfire.
The investigation into Thomas's death became intertwined with a broader, long-term operation by law enforcement aimed at dismantling a significant drug and gun trafficking ring operating in and around the Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway. This 15-month-long investigation, which had commenced in November 2019, involved the use of wiretaps and undercover officers to infiltrate the criminal network. Following Thomas's death, authorities noted that his murder was still under active investigation and was believed to be connected to the activities of this network. One report indicated that Thomas was a member of the Hassock Boys, a local street gang, and had a prior arrest in connection with a 2011 murder, suggesting that his own death might have been a result of ongoing gang-related conflicts.
In July 2021, the Queens District Attorney's Office announced the culmination of their extensive investigation, which resulted in the arrest and indictment of 21 individuals. These suspects were charged with a range of offenses related to the distribution of narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, as well as illegal firearms possession. While this large-scale bust was a significant blow to the criminal operations in the area, and though Thomas was identified as a victim connected to this enterprise, specific charges for his murder were not announced as part of this major takedown. The investigation into who specifically shot and killed Ernest Thomas was reported to be ongoing.
